A Night of Fashion
Throughout our lives we often think that in order to help someone, we have to make some grand gesture. For example, donating money to charity, or shaving our heads for cancer research. This can be the case, but it doesn't have to be. American Vogue Editor Anna Wintour began the magazine's first "Fashion's Night Out" in 2009. Initially, the night was created as a way to inject some funds back into the retail industry during the global financial crisis.
The Australian version, held in Sydney, aims to raise funds for others. The charity which received the proceeds was the Murdoch Children's Research Centre. Many stores in the CBD extended their trading hours, attracting more perspective customers to their stores.
This event also allowed stores to launch their spring collections. If participating companies wanted to, they could donate 10% of their profits on that night to the Murdoch Children's Research Centre.
Australian celebrities, and even a model or two, helped out as we reached into our pockets to help others. Even though we all couldn't be there for this event, there are other ways we can give back to others.
Shoes, Shoes, Shoes
A practical way we can help those less fortunate than us is through buying shoes. Everyone needs shoes, and these can essentially benefit you and someone else in the one transaction. American shoe company TOMS gives the gift, and necessity, of a pair of shoes to many people each year. Since its foundation in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie, TOMS has been working using a one-for-one model.
One-For-One
This model operates on the basis that for every pair of shoes sold another pair of shoes will be given to someone else. I can still remember the first time I heard about TOMS a few years ago now. The idea, and mechanics, of a one-for-one model made me more interested in the shoe company than simply the aesthetics of the shoes.
The Cheerful Giver
In a time in the world where people are centred on themselves, we need to take a step back and think about other people, and how we treat them. If we choose to help someone out, our intentions need to hold a cheerful attitude. 2 Corinthians 9:7 encourages us to "give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion." We should give in this way, not only because God wants us to, but also for if we needed help we would want people to help us cheerfully.
So, next time you decide to help someone in need, through whichever method you choose, think about your attitude. You never know when you will need a little help from your friends.
Natalie Van Egmond from Brisbane is a journalism graduate.
Natalie Van Egmond's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/natalie-van-egmond.html